Ashford

Ashford's population expanded in the decade leading up to the most recent census. At the same time there were changes in housing tenure.

The population reached nearly 120,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Ashford increased by 15%, from almost 103,000 to 118,000.

The addition of just over 15,000 people means this area's population was the third-fastest-growing in the South East and increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Ashford was home to, on average, 1.4 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was lower than the average across the South East

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the South East, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

More single parents

Census 2011 data also show a change in family life for many in Ashford.

The percentage of households in Ashford, which comprised a single parent, increased from 7.7% in 2001 to 10% in 2011.

In 2011, just under 4 in 10 (38%) households had a married couple, compared with 42% in 2001. The percentage of households in Ashford, which comprised a cohabiting couple, increased from 9.7% to 11%.

The proportion of single-parent households increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 8.0% in 2001 to 9.2% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.5% to 11%.

The percentage of households with a single-parent in Ashford increased by 2.5 percentage points

Percentage of households in Ashford, the South East and England that had a single parent, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Ashford that rented privately increased from 7.3% to 14% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just over one in seven (14%) households lived in social housing, compared with 16% in 2001. The percentage of Ashford households that owner their home decreased from 74% to 68%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 10% in 2001 to 16% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Ashford increased by 7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Ashford, the South East and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Ashford residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 7.2% to 4.6% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just over 8 in 10 (83%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 70% in 2001. The percentage of Ashford residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 13%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 7.2% in 2001 to 4.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Ashford decreased by 2.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Ashford, the South East and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Ashford residents that were unemployed increased from 2.4% to 3.6% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The proportion who said they were employed remained close to 54%, while the percentage of Ashford residents that were self-employed increased from 10% to 12%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 2.3% in 2001 to 3.5% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 3.4% to 4.4%.

The rate of unemployment in Ashford increased by 1.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Ashford, the South East and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More people worked short hours

The percentage of employed people in Ashford working less than 16 hours increased from 1.9% to 3.0% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just under one in eight (12%) people aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) said they had worked over 49 hours the week before completing the census, compared with 16% in 2001.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the South East (from 2.1% in 2001 to 3.1% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 1.9% to 3.1%.

The proportion of people working less than 16 hours in a week in Ashford increased by 1.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 (in employment the week before the Census 2011) in Ashford, the South East and England that said they had worked less than 16 hours the week before completing the census, March 2001 and March 2011

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